Reproduction, growth and oxidative stress in the earthworm Eisenia andrei exposed to conventional and biodegradable mulching film microplastics

Dataset on Earthworm (Eisenia andrei) exposed to of low-density polyethylene microplastics (PE-MP) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate biodegradable microplastics (PBAT-BD-MP) originating from mulching films. The study utilized seven concentrations (0, 0.005, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 5% w/w) in five replicates. Survival, growth, and oxidative stress responses of the earthworms were analysed after four weeks of exposure. Measured biomarker responses were superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione, and lipid peroxidation. Additionally, the Integrated Biomarker Response Index (IBR) was conducted to assess the overall oxidative stress status of the earthworms. The number of biomass of the juveniles were recorded after four additional weeks. The total length of the experiment was eight weeks. Soil water holding capacity (WHC) was analysed in the beginning of the experiment and soil pH in the beginning and end of the experiment. The study was conducted at the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) Under project PAPILLONS (EU Horizon).